Hidden Threat: A Lesson in Confidentiality

Johnny had been searching for a way to express his thoughts on the internet and make money, though, in reality, his desire to earn was far stronger. One day, he stumbled upon the platform Steemit—a decentralized community where articles and comments could earn cryptocurrency rewards. He liked the idea: everything was transparent, no bosses, and the more you write, the more you earn, of course, as long as you don’t neglect quality. Johnny wasn’t perfect, and in the pursuit of rewards, he occasionally faltered.

He signed up, came up with a catchy username, and started publishing articles on topics close to him: farm life, his dog, philosophy, and personal experiences. His posts quickly gained popularity. Johnny earned his first STEEM, converted them into Steem Power to increase his voting power, and even invested some of his own money, which he had saved up from the days when his parents gave him money for doughnuts so he could snack after school.

Over time, he achieved success: a decent amount accumulated in his account, and his articles attracted hundreds of votes. But this success was not only watched by well-wishers.

One day, Johnny received a message on the platform from a user with a reputable name. The person offered help with promotion and provided a website where he could allegedly connect his account to a “reach-enhancing service.” Johnny trusted him—the site looked professional, and logging in via blockchain key seemed secure.

But a minute after entering his data, Johnny felt a sense of unease. It was already too late. His Steem Power was instantly transferred to another account, and access to his profile was blocked.

Johnny tried to contact Steemit support, but it was a decentralized system—no one could help him. The transaction record remained in the blockchain as a cold reminder that in a world of total transparency, even the smallest mistake is enough for scammers to take advantage.

He lost everything he had carefully built: his invested money, earned cryptocurrency, and faith in people and his own abilities. Though it was too late, he remembered the words of his grandfather, who often said, “Johnny, don’t trust anyone—neither people nor decentralized platforms.”

P.S. Disillusioned with people, Johnny became a cynic. He wrote several successful books with high sales, such as: “How to Become an Online Millionaire” (though he was not one); “How to Find Friends on the Internet” (though he had none, neither there nor in real life); and “How to Understand People” (though he never succeeded at that). But his book “How to Increase Sales” was never bought by anyone.

(The story is fictional)

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